Viacom Media Networks paused programming for 17 minutes on all of its major TV channels at 10 a.m. local time in times zones nationwide Wednesday. It was a big move from a company in support of students walking out of thousands of schools at the same time to protest gun violence.

The company posted a video to its official Twitter account Wednesday morning stating that it "is standing with all students as they participate in the #NationalSchoolWalkout against Gun Violence."

Viacom is standing with all students as they participate in the #NationalSchoolWalkout against Gun Violence. From 10:00-10:17am, our networks will be going dark in solidarity to support the reach and impact of their activism.

In a blog on the Viacom website, the company announced that it was "leveraging its substantial multi-platform footprint to support these extraordinary individuals and amplify the reach and impact of their activism."

The company let students manage MTV’s social media accounts during the walkout.

"This generation continues to be the driving force for change," Viacom vice president Marva Smalls said in the blog. "With more than 17 young people dying from gun violence every single day, unfortunately no community is safe. We believe it’s critical to support the inspiring efforts of our youth, who are literally fighting for their lives."

The company is also supporting March For Our Lives, a march in Washington D.C. on March 24 organized by the survivors of the Parkland shooting. There will be hundreds of sister marches in cities across the country.

Shari Redstone, vice chair of Viacom’s board, announced that she is donating $500,000 to the movement.